Become a Police Officer

Do you want to do something worthwhile? Are you looking for a career that provides new and challenging situations daily? The Greenville Police Department is the place for hard-working men and women who thrive on challenges. There is no doubt that this can be a tough and unpredictable job, but it is also the most rewarding career you will ever have. Every day when you put on your uniform, you will go to work making life safer and more secure for your friends and neighbors.

All applicants must submit an application through the City of Greenville's jobs portal online. Due to the large number of applications we receive, the application for Police Officer is typically only open for 3-4 weeks at a time, and is posted quarterly.

Physical Ability Test (PAT)

This is required for admission into the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and is the first test all applicants take after applying to the GPD. The course and all obstacles must be successfully completed in under 2 minutes and 6 seconds.

Written Exam

After passing the PAT, applicants immediately take the National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory Exam. Applicants must score 70% or better on this exam.

Interview Board

After successfully completing the written exam, applicants are scheduled for an interview board in front of 3 GPD officers. The Board scores applicants based on their responses to a series of questions.

Polygraph Exam

All applicants who pass the interview board are scheduled for a polygraph examination.

Drug Screen

Applicants are given a drug screen during their pre-employment testing phase.

Background Investigation

A thorough background investigation is completed on all applicants. This includes (but is not limited to) contacting former and current employers and references, a credit check, and a criminal history check.

Psychological Evaluation

All applicants meet with a licensed psychologist, who makes a recommendation to the GPD about whether the candidate should advance in the hiring process.

Medical Screenings

Applicants meet with a physician at the Employee Health Center at City Hall and are given a comprehensive 2-part medical screening, which includes a vision and hearing test. Applicants cannot be colorblind and must meet the standard of 20/30 corrected in both eyes and 20/100 uncorrected in both eyes.

Stress Test

This is a cardiovascular fitness test designed to measure an applicant's aerobic capacity. The applicant runs on a treadmill while heart rate is measured.

Applicants must successfully complete each step in the process before being extended an offer of employment.

Once employed as a police officer with the Greenville Police Department, all new hires register to attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) in Columbia, SC for 8 weeks. Prior to the 8-week class, recruits receive 4-6 weeks of training via the online SCCJA training program at their home agency, and then must pass a cumulative test on the material. They will also complete their initial firearms qualification, taser certification, and OC spray certification at their home agency before attending the SCCJA.

Certified officers from other states may qualify for a shortened 1-week class at SCCJA after receiving 2-3 weeks of training via the online SCCJA training program and qualifying with firearms, taser, and OC spray at their home agency.

The Greenville Police Department's Police Training Officer (PTO) program is 15-18 weeks (may be abbreviated for prior experience) and the probationary period is one year.

How To Apply

The application for Police Officer is currently closed. Click the link below to sign up for email notifications when we open our hiring process. You will receive an email alerting you when the application is open.

Are you looking for job opportunities in law enforcement? Consider working as a Communications Specialist in our 911 dispatch center. Interested in working for the City of Greenville in a non-sworn position? Check out the employment openings at the City of Greenville's jobs portal.

Starting Salary

Minimum Qualification

Hourly Rate

Annual Salary

(43-hr work week)

High school diploma

$17.3702

$38,839.76

Associate's degree

Qualified veteran

$18.0650

$40,393.34

Bachelor's/Master's degree

$18.7876

$42,009.07

Lateral/sworn officers

-

Salary based on

prior experience and

formal training.

Language Incentive

-

Add 1 step after

completion of training

Salary Range

The Greenville Police Department utilizes three ranks for non-supervisory personnel: Police Officer 1 (PO1), Police Officer 2 (PO2), and Police Officer 3 (PO3). All new officers who have no police experience start out at the PO1 rank. Lateral officers may start at PO1, PO2, or PO3 based on years of experience and formal elective training.

Within each rank, salary ascends on a step program until the range maximum is met. Officers may be promoted to PO2 or PO3 after completion of the required years of service and attending additional training.

Promotions to Sergeant and Lieutenant are based on a competitive testing process.

-

Range Minimum

Range Maximum

Police Officer 1

$38,839.76

$50,517.94

Police Officer 2

$42,227.75

$56,022.98

Police Officer 3

$44,505.12

$69,548.48

Sergeant

$50,574.07

$79,023.34

Benefits

All new officers are full-time employees of the City of Greenville and receive their full salary and benefits during training and while attending the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

Required uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost to officers

Training is provided at no cost to officers

Take home car program after successful completion of Field Training Program

Tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 per fiscal year for approved undergraduate and graduate courses